Intellectual Property Considerations in M&A Transactions

On April 4, 2017, Riveles Wahab LLP partner Kaiser Wahab gave a presentation on the unique considerations for attorneys when a client is purchasing or merging with a company for which intellectual property is a key asset. For traditional businesses with physical assets, due diligence may come with reasonably obvious do’s and don’ts. However, in M&A deals where intellectual property is the key or sole asset, due diligence becomes even more critical yet far less obvious in terms of best practices.

In such deals, often unique and powerful transaction structure and drafting considerations come into play that are unfortunately overlooked as practitioners often make unwarranted assumptions regarding IP ownership and/or curing defects. Moreover, there are often misconceptions about the applicability of ordinary representations, warranties, and other M&A provisions to IP as a “one-size-fits-all” solution to the often unique array of defects and other “wrinkles” attached to the IP. In these cases, valuing and structuring the transaction can be adversely affected, the post transaction operations of the target business can be compromised, and the rights of both purchaser and seller can be significantly undermined.

Kaiser’s course is dedicated to M&A transactions in the private equity space for IP driven early-stage/mature companies, is designed to arm the practitioner with the vocabulary, skill set, and overall understanding of best practices in IP driven M&A transactions.